Going Organic: Is It Worth the Cost?

In This Article:

The general perception among consumers seems to be that organic food is the way to go — if you can afford it. People who choose to buy organic foods do so for varying reasons. Some say that organically grown products just taste better. Others believe that eating organic food will lead to better health, both for themselves and for the environment. But is there any proof of these perceived benefits? Organic products can cost over three times as much as non-organic food, so going organic can make a significant difference to your family's budget. Is it worth it?

First, let's consider any benefits to your family's health. According to the USDA's standards, "Organic crops are raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Animals raised on an organic operation must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors. They are given no antibiotics or growth hormones." As we all know, increased exposure to some pesticides means increased health risks -- especially in children. The EPA lists birth defects, nerve damage, and cancer as some of the major health problems linked to overexposure to pesticides. Of course, the EPA already enforces strict rules on pesticide use by growers. However, the government still recommends that consumers wash and peel conventional produce before eating it, to eliminate any pesticide residues.

Q:

Organic foods have become increasingly popular, despite their high cost. Even discount stores like Wal-Mart have begun selling organic foods.

Do you buy organic foods?

16%

Yes, I purchase organic foods exclusively when I can.

26%

Yes, I buy organic foods, but I also purchase some conventionally-grown produce plus things like soda that aren't organic.

32%

Rarely. I'll occasionally buy organics, but I don't go out of my way to do so.

26%

Never. I think the organic food craze is just an expensive trend without proven health benefits.

715 Total votes cast.

Since organic foods are grown without using pesticides, they carry fewer residues, if any. It seems to make sense, then, that eating organic foods should be better for you. However, according to the EPA, the levels of pesticides on non-organic foods are already so low that they don't pose that much of a threat. Furthermore, pesticide use has some important benefits, such as ensuring a larger harvest (and therefore lower prices) and keeping the pest population under control. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group has identified the following 12 types of conventional produce as having the heaviest pesticide contamination: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. Don't forgo these nutritious foods — just be especially careful to wash them well, or buy organic.

Pesticides are not the only health risk that organic advocates point to in conventional farming. Many also believe that antibiotics and growth hormones, both prohibited in the raising of organic livestock, are bad for you. Antibiotics in general have come under attack during the past few years, because the overuse of them has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of many bacteria and viruses. In fact, the CDC states that "nearly all significant bacterial infections in the world are becoming resistant to the most commonly prescribed antibiotic treatments." Just as it's a bad idea for people to take antibiotics unnecessarily or too often, it's a bad idea to give them to healthy animals, since the same bacteria and viruses affect both humans and animals.

If an animal is given an antibiotic, it cannot be sold as organic, according to USDA standards. Therefore, buying organic meat and dairy products can help to protect us all against antibiotic-resistant diseases. Buying organic milk, on the other hand, does not guarantee that the cow that produced that milk has never been given antibiotics. It does mean that the milk itself contains no antibiotics, since the cow has to be antibiotic-free for at least a year before the farmer can sell its milk as organic.

There is disagreement as to the safety of giving growth hormones to cows to increase milk production or enhance growth. The European Union has banned this practice in both beef and dairy cattle, but the U.S. FDA says it has determined that there is no real human health risk. Though rbBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) can have negative affects on humans when injected into them, the FDA says that the human digestive track breaks it down and eliminates it when we ingest it through our food. However, milk from rbBGH cows contains higher levels of a natural growth factor called IGF-1, and some experts link high levels of it in humans to breast and prostate cancers. Organic milk might be worth the extra cost, if only for your peace of mind.

what’s hot

highlights

Vote Now for the Children's & Teen Choice Book Awards
Voting is open now through May 3 for the Children's and Teen Choice Book Awards — the only national book awards program where the winning author, illustrator, and books of the year are selected by young readers. Encourage your child to vote for his favorites today!

Find Today's Newest & Best Children's Books!
Looking for newly released books for your child? Try our new Book Finder tool to search for new books by age, type, and theme, and create reading lists for kids!

Top 10 Math & Science Apps for Your Whiz Kid
Looking for the best math and science apps for kids? Check out these cool apps for all ages, which will grow your child's love of the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Registered for Kindergarten — Now What?
Wondering what to do now that you've signed your child up for kindergarten? Try our award-winning Kindergarten Readiness app! This easy-to-use checklist comes with games and activities to help your child build essential skills for kindergarten. Download the Kindergarten Readiness app today!

stay connected

Sign up for our free email newsletters and receive the latest advice and information on all things parenting.